Ex-Ford CEO Alan Mulally hired by Google

His arrival is a boon for the technology giant which unveiled the latest prototype of its self-driving car just two months ago.

“Alan brings a wealth of proven business and technology leadership experience,” said Larry Page, Google’s CEO.

Mulally, 68, who will serve on the audit committee, will receive an initial grant of $1 million in Google stock, an annual equity award of $350,000 with a $75,000 cash retainer, as well as reimbursement of expenses, according to a Google statement.

“This is really an inspired move,” Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, associate dean of the Yale University School of Management, told Bloomberg. “Mulally has a great deal to bring to Google. He’s an engineer’s engineer who has a great feel for consumer product innovation. This is a way to let us know that there’s no limit to the scope and scale of where Google is going.”

Despite stepping down from Ford on July 1st, six months earlier than expected, Mulally will remain in touch with the automaker and provide counsel to his successor, Mark Fields.

As previously reported, Google plans to roll out at least 100 fully autonomous vehicles in trials starting this year.